The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) intends to engage in discussions with captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar to outline the framework for the next four years across various formats.
India enjoyed a commanding performance in the ODI World Cup, winning all 10 matches until the final defeat against Australia. Discussions with Rohit Sharma will primarily focus on his future in white-ball cricket and the development of a future captain, as reported by TOI.
The captain, at the age of 36, had a remarkable 2023 World Cup, showcasing impressive form with the bat by scoring 597 runs at an average of 54.27 and a strike rate of 125.94.
Sources from TOI suggest that Rohit Sharma has informed the selectors of his decision to opt out of consideration for T20Is. His last appearance in T20Is was in India’s semi-final defeat to England at the T20 World Cup last year.
However, uncertainty looms over Rohit’s ODI future, given that he will be 40 by the time of the next World Cup in South Africa in 2027.
“Before the ODI World Cup, Rohit had communicated that he is fine not being considered for T20Is,” TOI quoted a source as saying.
“The selectors have been investing heavily in youth in T20Is for the last one year. With the T20 World Cup happening in June next year, they are reluctant to deviate from that strategy.”
“As of now, it seems Rohit will focussing a lot of his energy on the Test format for the next cycle of World Test Championship which runs until 2025,” the report added.
“Grooming a captain for the longer formats is a key part of the agenda. With Hardik Pandya prone to injury, selectors may look for options in ODIs.”
The 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan is the next significant ODI tournament, and Team India is slated to play just six ODIs in the coming year. Despite this, the board and selectors will strategize for ODIs after the conclusion of IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup next year.
Ajinkya Rahane is anticipated to be excluded from the Test squad- Reports
Selectors are reportedly leaning towards not including veteran batsman Ajinkya Rahane in the Test squad for the upcoming series in South Africa in December.
Rahane made a comeback to the Indian Test side after a gap of one and a half years in the WTC final against Australia.
Despite notable scores of 89 and 46 in that match, his subsequent performance in the West Indies series, totaling only 11 runs in two innings, has raised concerns.
“The selection committee is very clear that it wants to groom players who will play together for a longer period of time,” the source stated.
“With Shreyas Iyer coming back into the Test reckoning and Shubman Gill batting at No.3, there is little scope for Rahane. KL Rahul too could be considered for the Test matches as he could be a backup wicket-keeping option.”
Before engaging in the two Tests scheduled for December 10, Team India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, is set to play three T20Is and three ODIs in South Africa. Prior to that, they will compete in a five-match T20I series at home against Australia, commencing on Thursday, November 23.
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